Midwest Food Bank

Lighthouse of SWFL Celebrates White Cane Awareness Day 2016

(North Fort Myers, FL) – On Saturday October 15 from 10 AM to 1 PM the Lighthouse of SWFL, a vision rehabilitation agency, hosted a family-friendly community event bringing awareness to the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals living with blindness and vision impairment. The event was held at the Lighthouse of SWFL, 35 W. Mariana Ave, N. Fort Myers, FL 33903.

The outdoor festival provided live entertainment, free food, free vision and hearing screenings, and activities for children with and without vision impairment. The Lee School District Teachers of the Visually Impaired, along with several community advocacy groups and technology agencies, provided information for individuals with blindness and vision impairment. Participants interacted with guide dogs, Special Equestrians therapeutic horses, and a mini-petting zoo. Guests enjoyed descriptive yoga along with the soothing sounds of acoustic musician Bryan Huling. Local celeb and artist Doug MacGregor performed classic hits with his band, The Rosada Project, and the Lighthouse of SWFL’s very own musical performers, The Sing-a-Lings and Transition teens, entertained the day’s crowd of over 175 with harmonious songs.
Individuals also experienced an official “White Cane Walk” with assistance from our sighted guides and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office who helped conduct the event at the busy intersection of US 41 and Pine Island Road. County Commissioner Frank Mann helped kickoff the celebration with positive words of encouragement and support. Doug Fowler, Executive Director of the Lighthouse of SWFL, accepted a proclamation on October 4, 2016, from the Lee County Board of Commissioners declaring October 15, 2016 as White Cane Safety Day.

“For individuals living with blindness or vision impairment, this day really celebrates abilities and self-reliance,” said Amy Turner, Lighthouse of SWFL Community Relations Coordinator. “By collaborating with over twenty organizations and agencies for the event, the Lighthouse of SWFL facilitated a community partnership to foster independence and bring knowledge, awareness, and information to benefit the visually-impaired community.”
The Lighthouse of SWFL thanks the sponsors for their support of White Cane Awareness Day: The Palms of Fort Myers, Guide Dog Foundation, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Healthy Living Caravan, and Special Equestrians. All proceeds benefit the Lighthouse of SWFL which serves babies, children, teens, adults, and seniors living with blindness and vision impairment in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.

Lighthouse of SWFL is a United Way Partner agency with a mission to enable people of all ages living with a visual impairment or blindness to remain independent, active and productive in society. For more information, visit www.lighthouseswfl.org, email aturner@lighthouseswfl.org or call 239-997-7797.

Lighthouse of SWFL Announces New Board Members

(North Fort Myers, FL, July 26, 2016) – The Lighthouse of SWFL announces the appointment of Benjamin Abdulnour and Sheila Clark to the organization’s volunteer Board of Directors. Abdulnour is a criminal defense attorney for the 20th Circuit Court. He brings a wealth of legal expertise to the Board and will be a tremendous asset to the Lighthouse of SWFL. Abdulnour received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctorate in Law from Florida State University.

Clark’s background is in education where she was a paraprofessional in the Rhode Island School District for more than fifteen years. Her non-profit Board experience in fundraising and event coordination will lend a significant strength to the Board. Clark is a graduate of Berkley College in New York.

The Lighthouse of SWFL is a 501(c)3 United Way Partner that is also partially funded by the Division of Blind Services, Lee County Government and other private donors. The mission of the Lighthouse of SWFL is to enable people of all ages living with a visual impairment or blindness to remain independent, active and productive in society. For more information please visit www.lighthouseswfl.org or call 239-997-7797.

6th Annual Dining in the Dark a Success!

(North Fort Myers, FL) – The 6th Annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser was held under the stars on April 9, 2016 at Mike Greenwell’s 31 Produce in Alva, Florida. Benefiting the Lighthouse of SWFL, a non-profit vision rehabilitation center serving individuals in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties, the farm to table “country affair” was a unique and memorable evening for the 400+ participants. Upon arrival to the Lighthouse of SWFL’s signature fundraiser, guests were treated to a country fair atmosphere complete with carnival games, carriage rides with the Clydesdales, photo opportunities, and a kissing booth manned by Dallas the Donkey, all with one caveat – attempt the activities while blindfolded. Former Boston Red Sox player and host of the event, Mike Greenwell even joined in the fun and festivities by hitting baseballs blindfolded.

As darkness descended onto the evening, guests were corralled to the main event, emceed by NBC-2’s morning news anchor Rachel Pierce. Guests dined blindfolded on delicious farmgrown vegetables and locally-raised barbecue while families took the stage to recognize the crucial role the Lighthouse of SWFL performs in providing programs and services to children and babies living with vision impairment and blindness. “We are so grateful for the services, staff, and clients of the Lighthouse”, said parent Olivia Muñoz. She continued, “They have taught us as parents of a visually impaired child that individuals with blindness see things differently than sighted individuals. They see with touch, smell, hearing, and devices, such as the white cane, therefore, blindness does not limit dreams or future goals.”